South Africa’s TopTV adds pre-pay

“Forty per cent of adult South Africans have no bank account,” says Eddie Mbalo, CEO at Johannesburg-based TopTV, explaining the thinking behind the broadcaster’s introduction of pre-paid subscription vouchers. TopTV is a direct-to-home rival to Multichoice and DStv in South Africa.

The TopTV prepaid vouchers are available at over 6,000 retail outlets countrywide, with two price and channel package options on offer to users, which reflects the most popular options for existing subscribers.

The Variety package at R109 (about $13) for a 30-day period from activation, and the Ultimate package for R279 ($33) for 30 days access. A R10 administration and distribution fee is included in these two pricing options which goes to the retailer. New subs can also pay R499 to buy a TopTV decoder.